Emergency Tree Surgeon Near Me: What to Do When You Can't Wait in 2026
Chris
Emergency Tree Surgeon Near Me: What to Do When You Can't Wait in 2026
What Counts as a Tree Emergency?
Not every tree problem is an emergency. Understanding the difference helps you prioritise correctly and avoid paying premium emergency rates for work that could safely wait until normal hours.
Genuine Tree Emergencies
These situations require immediate action — typically within hours rather than days:
- A tree or large branch has fallen onto a building, vehicle, or is blocking a road or access route
- A tree is leaning at a dangerous angle against a structure after storm damage
- A large branch is hanging partially detached ("widow maker") directly above a frequently used area
- A tree has fallen onto or is pressing against overhead power lines
- A tree has fallen into a neighbour's property causing structural damage
- Root failure has caused a tree to lean suddenly and significantly toward a building
- A tree has been struck by lightning and is showing signs of structural instability
Situations That Can Wait
These are serious but not immediately dangerous — and can often be dealt with in normal hours at standard rates:
- A tree that has fallen in an unused part of the garden with no structural risk
- A dead tree that has been dead for some time and is not showing signs of imminent collapse
- Branches that have come down in an open area with no ongoing risk
- Storm damage to hedges or smaller ornamental trees
Before calling an emergency line, take a moment to assess whether the situation poses an ongoing or imminent risk. If it does, call immediately. If not, waiting until the next working day could save you 50–100% on the cost.
Who to Call First
1. Emergency Services — If There Is an Immediate Danger to Life
If a tree has fallen on a person, is blocking a public road, or has brought down electricity lines, call 999 immediately. The fire service and highways authority deal with road-blocking trees, and the electricity network operator must be contacted if power lines are involved. Never approach a tree that is in contact with power lines. The ground around such a tree can be electrified. Keep everyone well clear and wait for the electricity network operator to make the area safe before anyone approaches.
2. Your Electricity Network Operator — For Power Line Contact
If a tree is touching or has fallen onto overhead power lines, call your regional electricity network operator directly:
| Region | Network Operator | Emergency Number |
|---|---|---|
| England and Wales (most areas) | National Grid / regional DNOs | 105 |
| Scotland | Scottish Power Energy Networks / SSEN | 105 |
| Northern Ireland | NIE Networks | 03457 643 643 |
The number 105 connects you to your local electricity network operator from anywhere in England, Scotland or Wales.
3. An Emergency Tree Surgeon
Once immediate life safety is addressed, call an emergency arborist. Look for companies that explicitly advertise 24-hour or out-of-hours emergency tree surgery — not all tree surgeons offer this service, and those who do will have the equipment and insurance appropriate for emergency work.
4. Your Home Insurer
Call your insurer as soon as practically possible after the emergency is under control. Most home insurance policies cover storm damage, and prompt notification is usually required as a condition of the policy. Take photographs of all damage before any clearance work begins — your insurer will need these.
How Much Does Emergency Tree Surgery Cost in the UK 2026?
Emergency tree work carries a significant premium over standard rates. This reflects the out-of-hours availability, the speed of mobilisation, and the often more complex and hazardous conditions involved.
| Type of Emergency Work | Typical Cost Range (2026) |
|---|---|
| Emergency call-out fee (out of hours) | £150 – £350 |
| Small fallen tree clearance (up to 5m) | £300 – £700 |
| Medium fallen tree clearance (5–10m) | £600 – £1,500 |
| Large fallen tree clearance (10m+) | £1,200 – £4,000+ |
| Dangerous hanging branch removal | £250 – £800 |
| Tree leaning against building (stabilisation) | £400 – £1,500 |
| Out-of-hours premium (nights, weekends) | 50–100% above standard rates |
What Affects Emergency Costs?
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Time of call (night vs early morning) | Night calls carry the highest premium |
| Proximity to structures | More complex, time-consuming work |
| Need for specialist equipment (cherry picker, crane) | Significantly increases cost |
| Volume of timber to clear | More material = more time and disposal cost |
| Location in the UK | Urban areas often have more available contractors |
Staying Safe While You Wait
While waiting for an emergency tree surgeon to arrive, the priority is keeping everyone safe. Here is what to do — and what not to do.
Do
- Keep all people and pets well away from the affected area — establish a wide exclusion zone
- If a tree has damaged a building, assess whether it is safe to remain inside. If in any doubt, evacuate
- Photograph all damage from a safe distance for insurance purposes
- If the incident has blocked a public road, contact your local highways authority or call 101 (non-emergency police)
- Turn off gas and electricity at the mains if a tree has caused structural damage to your home
Do Not
- Attempt to move or cut a tree that is in contact with power lines under any circumstances
- Go into a loft or upper floor if a tree is pressing on the roof — the structural situation may be more serious than it appears from outside
- Attempt to cut branches off a fallen tree yourself unless you have chainsaw training and appropriate PPE — trees under tension can move unpredictably when cut
- Park vehicles under trees that are showing signs of instability after a storm
- Assume a tree that has survived one storm is safe — the root system may have been compromised by the storm loading
Finding an Emergency Tree Surgeon Near You
What to Look For
Not all tree surgery companies offer genuine 24-hour emergency response. When searching for an emergency arborist near you, look for:
- Explicit 24/7 or out-of-hours availability — confirmed on their website or by phone
- Appropriate equipment — emergency work often requires chainsaws, ropes, wood chippers, and sometimes cherry pickers or cranes
- Insurance — public liability insurance of at least £5 million is essential; for emergency work near structures, higher cover is preferable
- Experience with storm damage — not all tree surgeons regularly handle complex emergency scenarios; ask about their experience
How to Find Them Quickly
- The Arboricultural Association website (trees.org.uk) lists Approved Contractors, many of whom offer emergency services
- Local Google searches for "emergency tree surgeon [your town]" will surface companies that actively advertise out-of-hours availability
- Your home insurer may have a preferred contractor list for emergency tree work — check your policy documents or call their emergency line
- Neighbours who have had tree work done recently may be able to recommend a reliable local company
Emergency Tree Work and Your Home Insurance
Most standard UK home buildings insurance policies cover damage caused by fallen trees to the insured structure. Understanding how the claims process works will help you act appropriately from the moment the incident occurs.
What Is Typically Covered
- Damage to the building caused by a fallen tree or branch
- Costs of removing a tree from a building where it has caused structural damage
- Emergency temporary protective measures (boarding, tarpaulins)
What Is Typically Not Covered
- The cost of removing a fallen tree from your garden if it has not damaged an insured structure
- Damage to fences, gates and walls in many policies (check your policy wording)
- Deliberate tree felling or pre-existing tree conditions that were known before the policy was taken out
- Damage caused by a tree that was known to be dead or diseased and not dealt with
Steps to Protect Your Insurance Claim
- Photograph everything before any clearance work begins — damage to the building, the tree's position, the root plate if visible, and the surrounding area
- Notify your insurer promptly — most policies require notification as soon as reasonably practicable after an incident
- Keep all receipts and invoices — for emergency work, clearance, and any temporary protective measures
- Do not carry out permanent repairs before your insurer has assessed the damage, unless emergency temporary measures are needed to prevent further damage
- Get a written report from your emergency tree surgeon documenting what was found and what work was carried out
What Happens After the Emergency
Once the immediate danger is dealt with and any fallen timber has been cleared, there are several follow-up steps to consider.
Stump and Root Assessment
If a tree has uprooted or the root plate has become visible, an assessment of the remaining root system and how it may affect the ground and surrounding structures is worthwhile. An arborist's written report provides useful documentation.
Survey of Remaining Trees
After a significant storm, it is worth having all the trees on your property assessed by a qualified arborist. Storm loading can compromise root systems and structural integrity in trees that appear undamaged on the surface but have suffered internal damage.
Repair and Reinstatement
Work with your insurer and a qualified builder to address any structural damage to the building. Make sure the scope of repairs addresses not just the visible damage but any underlying structural issues the tree may have caused.
Replanting
Replacing a lost tree with a more appropriate species for the location is a positive response to an emergency. An arborist can advise on species selection, and many councils offer subsidised or free trees through local tree planting schemes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can an emergency tree surgeon arrive?
Response times vary by location and time of day. In urban and suburban areas, many emergency tree surgeons can respond within two to four hours. In rural areas, response times may be longer. Always confirm an estimated arrival time when you call.
Will my neighbour's insurer pay if their tree falls on my property?
Generally, no — and this surprises many people. In UK law, a homeowner is not automatically liable for damage caused by a tree falling from their property onto a neighbour's, unless it can be shown that they knew the tree was dangerous and failed to act. Your own buildings insurance is usually the appropriate route for claiming for this type of damage.
Can I claim for the cost of removing a tree that hasn't damaged my house?
Usually not under standard buildings insurance. If a tree falls into your garden but does not damage an insured structure, the removal cost is typically not covered. Some comprehensive policies include garden cover — check your policy wording or call your insurer.
What if the fallen tree has blocked my only access road?
If the tree is on a public road, highways authorities have a statutory duty to clear it. Call your local council's highways department or 101. If it is blocking access to your private property, it falls to you (or your insurer) to arrange clearance.
Is emergency tree work covered by legal expenses insurance?
If the emergency arises from a dispute — for example, a neighbour's tree falling on your property and them refusing to accept liability — legal expenses insurance (often included in home insurance policies) may cover the cost of pursuing a claim. Check your policy or speak to your insurer.
Conclusion
Tree emergencies are stressful, unexpected, and often arrive at the worst possible time. Having a clear plan — knowing who to call, what to photograph, and how to stay safe in the first hour — makes an enormous practical difference to how the situation unfolds. The most important things to remember are: keep everyone well away from the affected area, never approach a tree near power lines, call your insurer early and photograph everything, and make sure any emergency arborist you use is properly insured and experienced in storm damage work. The right professional, acting quickly, will make the situation manageable far sooner than you might expect.
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